IT’S the Modern Family episode everyone has been hanging out to see — Phil Dunphy and crew Down Under.

But the big episode’s launch has already been spoiled by iTunes, with the show available to download on the Australian site three days before its Sunday night debut.

The hotly anticipated Down Under special is due to air in the US at 3pm AEST and on Australian television screens this Sunday night at 6.30pm AEST, but the big premiere has already been blown.

In a major blow for Ten, news.com.au was made aware that the one-off episode was accessible on iTunes Australia for just $3.49 this morning.

Modern Family episode 20: Australia - available for purchase on iTunes for $3.49.Source:Supplied

By 9.45am it had been pulled from the store and the HD version was no longer available for download. News.com.au has downloaded and watched the episode five hours before an invitation-only screening for media and guests at Ten in Pyrmont, Sydney, where the show will be simulcast live from the US.

It’s another huge setback for the already struggling network, who declined to comment on the bungle when contacted by news.com.au this morning.

Modern Family Oz episode spoiled for $3.49Source:Supplied

The stars of the show have been madly tweeting about the Aussie episode in the lead-up to it airing in the US today.

The entire cast flew out to film the one-off episode back in February, sparking a social media storm with sightings around Sydney and Queensland during their two-week stay.

The hit comedy signed a deal with Qantas to film its first vacation episode outside of the US in Australia, in a tourism coup expected to bumper the show’s worldwide audience while pumping money into our nation’s economy.

Ty Burrell and Sofia Vergara filming a scene for the Aussie episode at the beach.Source:Supplied

Did you manage to download the episode before it was pulled from iTunes? What did you think?

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